Eastleigh are hopeful of signing Havant & Waterlooville midfielder Neil Davis ahead of Saturday's Dr Martens Eastern Division derby at home to Fleet.

Ex-Dell youngster Davis looks like being sacrificed to make way for new blood at Westleigh Park and is keen to link up again with his old Saints mentor David Hughes, Eastleigh's player/assistant manager.

The West End lad has been offered a pay as you play deal by Eastleigh boss Paul Doswell and is due to give his answer today.

Doswell said: "Dave Leworthy (H&W manager) rang me to say Neil was being released and, because we've been trying to loan him, we had first option. Neil's keen to come here and get back under David's wing. He could be a great player, but he needs to get on the ball more and be more aggressive in the tackle."

Eastleigh hit Combined Counties strugglers Cove for six last night in the second round of the Russell Cotes Cup.

Lee Brown, the club's leading reserve scorer, weighed in with a hat-trick, Robbie Matthews struck twice and Rob Marshall was also on target in a 6-0 victory, which earns them a trip to BAT in the next round.

The Sparshatts Stadium outfit fielded three 16-year-olds, including Michael Hayes, who had an exceptional game at left-back. Sam Wyeth, an 18-year-old signing from Salisbury, also had a run-out.